Five of Liverpool's best museums

Learn about the city's ties with the Titanic and discover the Beatles musical journey at these museums in Merseyside

With more museums and galleries than any other UK city outside of London, Liverpool's an increasingly popular city for those wanting to soak up some culture. The museums attracts international exhibitions and hold some of Europe's most impressive collections. If you think you've been there, done that; with new exhibitions and events popping up every few months, there's reason to visit time and time again.

The Albert Docks are home to the Maritime Museum which is well known for displaying a lifejacket worn by a Titanic survivor. Titanic and Liverpool: the untold story explores Liverpool's connection to the liner, and why the city's name was painted on her stern. The museum also educates you about the history of the port with ship models, maritime paintings and full sized vessels.Albert Dock, Liverpool Waterfront, L3 4AQ, free entry

International Slavery Museum

On the third floor of the Maritime Museum is the International Slavery Museum, just yards away from the dry docks where slave trading ships were repaired in the 18th century. Its exhibitions and collections highlight the importance of slavery in a historic and contemporary context. The three main galleries focus on 'Life in West Africa', 'Enslavement and the Middle Passage' and 'Legacy', and the museum also prides itself on being an international hub for resources on human rights issues.Albert Dock, Liverpool, L3 4AQ, free entry

Museum of Liverpool

The award winning Museum of Liverpool looks at how the city has been shaped by its people, culture and sporting history. There are exhibitions for all ages and the handy museum trails make exploring with little ones all the more manageable. Free film screenings about the Beatles, football and the story of Liverpool play at regular intervals throughout the day. Findings from various archaeology projects are also displayed, thanks to the museum's dedicated archaeology service. Pier Head, Liverpool Waterfront, L3 1DG, free entry

World Museum

See damaged objects from when Liverpool was bombed, travel through space and time, study life-sized casts of dinosaur skeletons or get up close to beetles, flies, spiders, scorpions or centipedes in the Bug House. The World Museum has a number of varied collections from across the world as well as temporary exhibitions and weekly workshops. The Wonderful World workshops are suitable for the whole family. William Brown Street, Liverpool, L3 8EN, free entry

The Beatles Story

Where better to learn all about one of the world's most influential rock bands than in their own hometown? The award-winning Beatles Story is the world's largest permanent exhibition devoted entirely to the lives of the four Liverpudlian legends. Learn about how they met, the early days of the band, how they made it worldwide and their solo careers. You can also go behind the scenes at the Abbey Road Studios, take a trip on the Yellow Submarine and explore replicas of The Cavern Club and the Casbah Coffee Club. Audio guides are available in ten languages, narrated by John Lennon's sister, Julia. Britannia Pavilion, Albert Dock, Liverpool, L3 4AA, £15.95 (£12; children £9.50; discounts available for families)

A

Museum of Liverpool
Pier Head, Liverpool Waterfront,
Liverpool,
L3 1DG
As the newest member of the National Museums Liverpool group, the Museum of Liverpool opened in 2011, with the aim of telling the story of the city and its people.
Exhibits are divided into four themes over four different galleries: The Great Port…

B

Merseyside Maritime Museum
Albert Dock, Liverpool Waterfront,
Liverpool,
Merseyside,
L3 4AQ
Opened in 1980, Merseyside Maritime Museum has a focus on the city's seafaring heritage, with the collections highlighting Liverpool's role in the transatlantic slave trade and emigration, the merchant navy and the RMS Titanic.
The museum is free to…

C

International Slavery Museum
Albert Dock,
Liverpool,
Merseyside,
L3 4AQ
On the third floor of the Maritime Museum is the International Slavery Museum, just yards away from the dry docks where slave trading ships were repaired in the 18th century. Its exhibitions and collections highlight the importance of slavery in a…

D

The Beatles Story
Britannia Pavilion, Albert Dock,
Liverpool,
Merseyside,
L3 4AA
A permanent exhibition devoted to the story of the world's famous band. The Beatles Story features replicas of places associated with the band's early years: the Casbah Coffee Club; Mathew Street, the location of the Cavern Club; and the Cavern itself.

E

World Museum
William Brown Street,
Liverpool,
Merseyside,
L3 8EN
Liverpool's World Museum has extensive collections of archaeology, ethnology and the natural and physical sciences. The museum opened in 1851, although was originally known as Derby Museum after the Earl of Derby's natural history collection.
The…